Café

The Hardest Sermons You’ll Ever Have To Preach
Reviewed by Hans Kristensen
Little Black Books: Science and God
Reviewed by Andrew Laird
Making the Most of the Cross
Reviewed by Lesley Hicks
Higher Ground
Reviewed by Andrew Laird

High Court Challenge to school chaplains

10:26pm Thursday, 10th February 2011

Scripture Union Queensland has until February 25 to file its defense to a High Court writ challenging the right of the Federal Government to fund school chaplaincy.
The writ has been sought by a Toowoomba man, Ronald Williams, represented by well known SC Brett Walker, and funded by the Australian Secular Lobby and members of the public who want school chaplaincy out of state schools.

Williams is arguing that the Federal government has no power under the constitution to fund school Chaplains., and that the School Chaplain guidelines impose a religious test on employing “an officer of the Commonwealth.
Almost 2000 chaplains are employed in state schools across Australia. About a third of state schools have a chaplain.
SU Queensland has complied a list of what it regards as the key misconceptions about school chaplains. Similar answers would apply in other states.

Misconception 1: Chaplains teach Religious Education in schools – and therefore the Commonwealth is funding RE in state schools
No Commonwealth funds are used for the instruction of Religious Education in state schools. Education Queensland’s ‘Religious Instruction in School Hours’ policy prohibits Chaplains from teaching Religious Education (RE) in schools during the hours they are employed to fulfil their Chaplaincy duties.

Misconception 2: School chaplains are not qualified
In 2007, SU QLD introduced a new minimum standard for training school chaplains — the nationally accredited (under the Australian Quality Training Framework) Diploma of Youth Work (School Chaplaincy). This trains chaplains in areas such as Crisis Management with Young People (including Suicide Intervention and Prevention, Grief and Loss Responses, and Critical Incidence Management), Child Protection, Developing Programs with Young People, Interpersonal Work with Young People (including an introduction to Counselling and Pastoral Care) and Community Work with Young People.

Misconception 3: Chaplaincy is being forced on my child
It is not compulsory for students to participate in a school chaplaincy program. Schools must ensure that students and parents understand the voluntary nature of the program and have the option of whether to utilise the services of a school chaplain.

Misconception 4: There is no accountability of school chaplains
Education Queensland has developed a formal policy around the operation of chaplaincy services in state schools. SU QLD school chaplains are supervised by state school principals via their school-based line manager.

Misconception 5: School chaplains are there to evangelise their faith
A chaplaincy program is to be inclusive of and show respect for all religious and non-religious beliefs and other stances represented in the school community. All activities and events provided within a chaplaincy program are non-discriminatory and equitably available to students of all beliefs and who choose to participate and who have parental consent. Participation in all aspects of chaplaincy services is voluntary.

Misconception 6: Chaplains are not qualified to counsel students
It is important to note that School Chaplains cannot provide services for which they are not qualified, such as counselling services or psychological assessment.
School Chaplains are free to chat with students and to build relationships with them. Chaplains are often the first point of contact for students who are experiencing difficulties.
School Chaplains DO NOT counsel students. They are trained to refer students to professional counselling services in consultation with the School Principal when required.

• The High Court has set aside May 10, 11 and 12 to hear the case.
• The decision of the High Court may not be known until late 2011 or early 2012.